New analysis by Prosper Insights and Analytics™ examined shoppers’ consideration of the four top-selling smartphone operating systems: Android™, iPhone®, BlackBerry®, and Windows Phone. This examination revealed that among consumers thinking about a mobile phone purchase over the next 90 days (January, February, or March 2013), Android-powered devices are the most popular operating system under consideration. In fact, these shoppers are 51% more likely to be mulling over an Android smartphone compared to the Apple iPhone.

Specifically, more than half (53%) of these potential short-term smartphone shoppers are thinking about syncing with an Android device, leading consideration of the Apple iPhone (35%), Windows Phone (19%), and BlackBerry (11%).

What’s especially concerning for Apple is its seemingly slipping grasp on the two younger generations, who typically lean toward “what’s next” and are most likely to be potentially plunking down cash for a new mobile phone over the next three months. Three out of five Millennials (63%) contemplating a mobile purchase during Q1 2013 are looking at Android smartphones; that figure drops to 37% for these youngsters considering an Apple iPhone.

And that disparity grows even wider with Gen X-ers. Among potential near-term shoppers born between 1965 and 1982, 59% are considering an Android-powered device. For the Apple iPhone, that figure drops nearly 50% to 32%.

However, much like what was seen when measuring the buzz surrounding the Android and Apple operating systems, the Android “hold” isn’t quite so strong among the older generations – Boomers (1946-1964) and Silents (pre-1946). While a slightly higher percentage of each of these groups is considering an Android purchase in the next 90 days versus the iPhone, it appears that the competition for these potential shoppers is more evenly divided – so Siri may have a better shot at bending ears among these more mature generations.

Besides the Android dilemma, with younger shoppers open to seeking out “what’s new” in mobile elsewhere, it appears that Tim Cook & Co are also up against an aging fan base – and that’s a big potential problem [just ask Sears].

But competition inspires innovation, right? I look forward to seeing how Apple attempts to up the ante.